# Ameliorative effects of desert truffle Terfezia claveryi extract on Hysterothylacium thalassini- induced oxidative damage in C57BL/6 mice

## TL;DR

A desert truffle extract helps reduce oxidative damage and inflammation in mice infected with a fish-borne parasite.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential of Terfezia claveryi extract against Hysterothylacium thalassini-induced oxidative stress in mice.

## Key findings

- TCE significantly restored antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced oxidative stress markers in infected mice.
- TCE improved splenic histoarchitecture and downregulated iNOS expression, indicating anti-inflammatory effects.
- The extract did not reduce parasite burden but mitigated tissue injury and immunopathology.

## Abstract

Anisakid nematodes, particularly the third-stage larvae (L3) of Hysterothylacium thalassini, pose a significant zoonotic risk associated with the consumption of fish. Ingestion of infected fish can trigger oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and tissue damage in mammalian hosts. The growing incidence of anisakid infections necessitates the exploration of natural therapeutic agents with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Terfezia claveryi, a desert truffle widely consumed in Saudi Arabia, is recognized for its rich phytochemical composition and potential bioactivity, making it a promising candidate for mitigating oxidative damage caused by parasites.

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and antioxidant potential of Terfezia claveryi extract (TCE) against oxidative stress and splenic pathology induced by H. thalassini L3 infection in experimental mice.

A methanol–water extract of T. claveryi was prepared and analyzed for its phytochemical constituents using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and colorimetric assays. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into control and infected groups, with infection induced using fresh, thermally processed, or frozen L3 larvae. TCE was administered orally at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Antioxidant status in spleen tissues was evaluated through enzymatic assays for catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH), while oxidative stress markers—malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and nitric oxide (NO)—were quantified in spleen samples. Histopathological examination of spleen tissues was performed, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was analyzed by qPCR and ELISA.

Phytochemical screening of TCE revealed high phenolic content (46.72 ± 2.43 µg/ml), alongside measurable levels of flavonoids and tannins, confirming its strong antioxidant capacity. Infection with H. thalassini larvae caused pronounced splenic degeneration, congestion, and capsule thinning, accompanied by decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH levels, and elevated oxidative markers (MDA, H2O2, NO). TCE treatment significantly restored antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative stress biomarkers, and improved splenic histoarchitecture. Moreover, iNOS gene and protein expression were markedly downregulated following TCE administration, indicating anti-inflammatory modulation.

T. claveryi extract exhibits potent antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects that mitigate oxidative damage and inflammatory stress induced by H. thalassini infection in mice. Although the extract does not target the parasite burden directly, its ability to restore oxidant–antioxidant balance and modulate host immune responses suggests a valuable supportive or adjunctive role in reducing infection-associated tissue injury and immunopathology. These findings indicate that desert truffle–derived bioactive compounds may serve as natural complementary agents to limit oxidative and inflammatory complications associated with anisakid infections and warrant further investigation in combination with antiparasitic therapies.